Ramrod Antiques

                                Double Barrelled Pistol                                              Dublin. This pistol was bought over 30 years ago and in very poor condition but it held that magical name "Dublin" to the top rib. Once cleaned, I found the Irish Registration number G 1257  (Galway) on both barrels which was a bonus!!  I did have mad ideas of finding a pair of locks for it... but I have lived and enjoyed it as it is, so that's how it will stay.  Nice fishtail stock, platinum plugs and a single gold lined breech band.  If I were to take a stab at a maker that put his hand to this pistol it would be Thomas Fowler.                         Breech block engraved with union flag, globe and cannon within fo...

                                 A Perfect Irish Marriage. Attributed to three of the most esteemed Dublin gunmakers viz: John Gover/Govers, Matthew Collins and Francis Lord.  This 13 bore Silver Mounted Holster pistol has a two stage 27.5 cm ( 10.5") barrel signed Govers, Dublin. Proofed with Crowned "P" and a Crowned Harp. Barrelmakers mark "FL" (Francis Lord). Lock signed Collins. (Matthew) and dated 1756. The barrel also marked with Irish Registration number " WA 1253" for County Waterford.:                               Refer to:  "A Directory of the Early Irish Gunmakers".                                         1761 Dublin Trade Directory.         Collins Matthew Dame Street G...

  Gunmaker.  Trade Label Engravers & Printers Ireland William John Beattie.  Engraver, Lithographer & Printer. 21 Rosemary Street, Belfast. They were listed in the 1843 Lennon & Wylie Directory and produced the Joseph Braddell & Son seen below. -------------- Samuel Close. Del/Sculp.   Farrell McDermott trade label from the period 1811-1827. Prior to this  "Mc Dermott's" were located at No 2  Abbey Street (1797-1810) and this can be seen in this trade label where the engraver has removed the No.2 but left a ghosting of this number behind the newly engraved No.1. Samuel Close (1770-1807) was deaf & dumb. He was succeeded by his son Samuel Close Jnr. d.1821.. Both men were Engravers & Jewellers. Traded: Upper Blind Street and later at 134 Capel Street, Dublin.. ---------------------- Dawson. Sculpsit/Engraver.  Nicholas Clarke trade label for 35 Capel Street, Dublin.                  ...

  Due to heavy snowfall at around 4.15am (Our start time) in the North Yorkshire area, we were unable to make the 3 hour drive to Coventry today. We are sorry to all those that had arranged to see us or those expecting to see us. We will be exhibiting later this year on 14th June at the Motorcycle Museum,  so see you there. Any pressing issues please ring or email: 07818 470123 or Email: davejwstroud@hotmail.com Regards & Best David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

  This article appeared in the Spring 2009 copy of Country Sports and Country Life Magazine. Edited by Paul Pringle.  We are always interested in material related to the early gunmakers of Ireland. David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

  Saunders Newsletter 19th February 1782.   A later cased pair of converted holster pistols by William Morton with an intriguing sideplate nipple dispenser invented by the owner Major General Joseph Jerrard, who purchased these pistols c.1793 as cited on the inserted note. The drum and nipple conversion would have been executed c.1820. The pistols having the flat sided grips so popularised by Robert Wogdon. Major-General Joseph Jerrard (1773–1858) was an British Army officer who served in Ireland  during the 1798 Irish Rebellion . He was stationed there around the time of his marriage to Charlotte Wilder in Comber, County Down, on November 6, 1797. Later in his career, he served in Egypt (1805) and at the siege of Copenhagen (1807).                          William Morton barrel proof mark of a crowned "P" and crowned "M"        These pistols were part of the late Leslie Martin Collection...

        A sample of weaponry registered in the Barony of                     Castleraghan, County Cavan between 1799-1832 The headings of name, residence and parish are of note but of particular interest to us are the columns detailing the types of weapons being licensed i.e., "Guns, Pistols, Blunderbuss, Swords and Bayonets and of course the registration dates.  It should be remembered that weaponry had been licensed in some form in Ireland since the Sieges of Limerick, culminating in the Treaty of  Limerick in 1691. The above list endorses the fact that following the rebellion in 1798,  legislation was still very much alive, the earliest registration here being 1799. This legislation was the forerunner to the Registration Act of 1843 which resolved that not only were weapons to be licensed but were also branded with the licence number and county prefix. We are always interested to know of any reg...

  Joseph Braddell & Son Gunmakers Belfast. New Ownership 1880. Although through fire Braddell's w ere forced to temporarily set-up their business in Rosemary Street. Belfast in 1877 they were back at their old address by 1880.  However, with new management/owners following the death of William Henry Braddell in 1879. Image courtesy of a family member. David Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

                       Joseph Braddell & Son Gunmakers Belfast                   William Henry Braddell's headstone in St Patrick's Church Graveyard, Belfast. Hannah's son William dies and the business is transferred yet again. This time to Mr George Erskine Murray c.1880. This transfer being dealt with by the youngest son Edward Braddell who was not involved in the gun trade but was an architect by trade.                 We are always interested in material related to the gunmakers of Ireland.                                                David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk